Dog of the Year Xena helps autistic boy Jonny Hickey; Cat of the Year stopped soldier from harming himself

WARNING DISTURBING CONTENT: A dog who transformed from near-death to the beloved companion of an autistic boy, and a cat who helped save his owner's life in Afghanistan have been named Pets of the Year.

The ASPCA Humane Award recognises special animals who made a positive and lasting impact during the past year.

Canine winner Xena was close to death and weighed just 1.8kg when she was rescued by the ASPCA after collapsing in a yard in Georgia, USA earlier this year. The puppy's emaciated appearance shocked experienced rescue workers, who named her Xena, Warrior Puppy in honour of her fighting spirit and amazing recovery, Today.com reports.

Xena was adopted by the family of eight-year-old autistic boy Jonny Hickey, and has helped the boy make amazing strides in overcoming his social anxiety, his mother Linda Hickey said. The pair became fast friends and Jonny, who was once withdrawn, is now full of "non-stop chatter."

"He is the happiest child that I’ve seen him be in eight years," said Ms Hickey. "He is so, so happy when Xena is there."

The ASPCA also awarded its Cat of the Year award to Koshka, a stray who saved a US solider's life by preventing him from harming himself after his friends were killed by attackers in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt Jesse Knott was stationed in southern Afthanistan when he noticed a grey tabby hanging around the base. Seeing that the cat had been mistreated, Mr Knott adopted the the cat and named him Koskha, Russian for “cat.”

At his lowest point, after Mr Knott’s good friends had died in a suicide attack and he was having suicidal thoughts, Koskha intervened. The concerned kitty meowed, head-butted Mr Knott and reached out to touch his forehead with his paw and began purring loudly.

Moved by Koskha’s behaviouir, Mr Knott decided to seek help instead of hurting himself, and vowed to repay the favour by giving the cat a life outside of Afghanistan.

The cat was smuggled out of the country in a daring operation, and after spending around $3000 in transportation costs, Koskha now lives happily with Mr Knott’s parents - where he even has his own Facebook page.